Current:Home > reviewsAmerican Bobby Finke defends Olympic gold in swimming's 1,500M, breaks world record -TrueNorth Capital Hub
American Bobby Finke defends Olympic gold in swimming's 1,500M, breaks world record
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:41:04
NANTERRE, France — Breaking the world record was not Bobby Finke’s plan for the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle final. Taking it out fast wasn’t part of the 24-year-old American swimmer’s strategy either.
But he wanted to defend his Olympic title from the 2021 Tokyo Games, and he knew he was Team USA’s last chance to win a men’s individual gold medal at the Paris Olympics. If he didn’t, it would have been the first time the American men left the Olympics without an individual swimming gold since 1900 (with the exception of the 1980 boycotted Games).
“I'm just happy I won really,” Finke said. “I had a lot of pressure going into the race.”
The two-time Olympian quickly took the lead on the first lap of the longest race in the pool and never relinquished it, winning his second 1,500 free Olympic gold and setting a world record in the process.
“I could see the world record line on the board a couple of times,” he said. “It wasn't like I was trying to see it. I just happened to see it.”
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
Interactive graphic: Want to train like an Olympic champion? Start with this expert advice.
He won with a time of 14:30.67, besting the world record set by China's Sun Yang in 2012 (14.31.02) by nearly a half a second. Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri took silver with a time of 14.34.55, and Ireland's Daniel Wiffen got bronze in 14.39.63.
“I knew he was going [to] change his tactics, and the only problem was, I didn't see it,” Wiffen said. “I was looking that way, but I got body-blocked by [Paltrinieri]...By the time I noticed, I saw [his] leg kick, I was like, ‘Oh, OK, now it's going to be a very painful 1,500 for me.’”
Finke noted that he could also see his “pretty decent” lead at the 300-meter mark, so he kept digging. He wasn’t trying to build on his lead with each 100; he said he’s better when he works to maintain the pace he goes out with because it’s “easier and a lot less stressful.”
But he also wasn’t interested in blowing it.
“I knew I just had to keep going and hopefully try and make the guys hurt a little bit trying to catch up to me,” Finke said. “They started catching up to me, and I was getting a little worried...
“At like that 300 mark, I was maybe like a body length [ahead]. I was like, ‘I can't let go of this now. I can't be the guy who got ran down after I do all the running down.’ So that was also a big factor in my mind.”
Turns out, he didn’t take it out too fast, and he had enough left in the tank for a 26.27-second final 50 compared with his 28- and 29-second 50s throughout most of the mile.
Finke also won a silver medal in the men’s 800 freestyle at these Games behind Wiffin, and at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he won gold in both men’s distance events.
“I was disappointed after the 800. I really wanted to defend that medal too,” Finke added.
“So I really wanted to get on top of the podium again and hear the anthem all over again, like I did for the first time in Tokyo. So being able to do that — listen to it and hand over my heart — it was a dream.”
Follow Michelle R. Martinelli on X (fomerly Twitter) at @MMartinelli4.
▶ The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (72726)
Related
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez are officially divorced
- Heat-seeking drone saves puppy's life after missing for five days
- The longest-serving member of the Alabama House resigns after pleading guilty to federal charges
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- DAY6 returns with 'Fourever': The album reflects who the band is 'at this moment'
- Discrimination lawsuit brought by transgender athlete sent back to Minnesota trial court
- 1 killed in shootings at Jacksonville Beach on St. Patrick’s Day
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Pink Shares Hilarious Glimpse at Family Life With Kids Willow and Jameson
Ranking
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Forced sale of TikTok absolutely could happen before Election Day, Rep. Mike Gallagher says
- Ohio Supreme Court primary with 2 Democrats kicks off long campaign over court’s partisan control
- Uncomfortable Conversations: Did you get stuck splitting the dining bill unfairly?
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Forced sale of TikTok absolutely could happen before Election Day, Rep. Mike Gallagher says
- Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies
- Inside RHOM Star Nicole Martin’s Luxurious Baby Shower Planned by Costar Guerdy Abraira
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Which NCAA basketball teams are in March Madness 2024? See the full list by conference
Don Lemon premieres show with contentious Elon Musk X interview: Here's what happened
The Daily Money: Has the Great Resignation fizzled out?
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
The Best Shapewear for Women That *Actually* Works and Won’t Roll Down
MGM Casino Denies Claims Bruno Mars Owes $50 Million Gambling Debt
Why Elizabeth Hurley Felt Safe Filming Sex Scenes Directed By Her Son